(AU magazine October 2008)
AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR - TheseRIOTSareJUSTtheBEGINNING
Post-rock to the max, the North Coast lads singlehandedly reduce such pigeonholes to mere frivolity. An instrumental mindbender with accomplished rhythms, 'TheseRIOTSareJUSTtheBEGINNING' unfurls to envelope the listener, all complex arrangements and unfeasibly tough chord progressions. Despite the lack of bono vox, there is an overarching voice which speaks of angst and determination, of melancholy and joy and most of all, of musical individuality.
THE DIVINE COMEDY - A LADY OF A CERTAIN AGE
The sharp-dressing persona of Neil Hannon is one which every NI music fan knows and loves, but his affair with critics is a torrid one. The 2006 single 'A Lady Of A Certain Age' quickly united both. In many ways, a latter-day answer to Peter Sarstedt's 'Where Do You Go To, My Lovely?', the lush, complex orchestration shows Hannon has spent nearly two decades honing a musicality which sets him apart from his pop contemporaries.
RED ORGAN SERPENT SOUND - IN SEARCH OF ORGASMUZ
Hailing from the other capital of NI, Red Organ Serpent Sound defy categorisation, but since their debut single 'In Search Of Orgasmuz', they have been wowing audiences with their grooves. Starting out with enough organ to make The Doors blush, lead singer Rory Moore kicks in with confidence and unleashes a throwback which was certainly more than anyone would have expected from a local band in 2005. The charisma and skill of these boys is best described as a force to be reckoned with.
PANAMA KINGS - YOUNG BLOOD
A veritable NI supergroup, Panama Kings ain't the oldest kids on the block, by any means. S how is it that they managed to turn one of their records into an anthem? With persistently high gigging standards and frankly astonishingly speedy uptake when it comes to fans, the Kings' top track is definitely the almighty 'Young Blood'. Chiming in with crisp, clear guitar, singer Niall Kennedy's voice is confident and uncompromising as it cuts through the melody. Comparisons have been made to Wayne Coyne, and truly the vocal talents of this lad will keep taking the Kings higher and higher. The confidence and accomplishment which 'Young Blood' speaks of is unmistakeable - the crystallised moment of a band on the up.
SNOW PATROL - SET THE FIRE TO THE THIRD BAR
Devoting their lives to a music career which, in darker moments, may have seemed fruitless, Snow Patrol persevered. The Eyes Open album became the biggest selling record of 2006, and the boys showed class as well as talent with this single. The strength is in letting Martha Wainwright lead - her crisp American delivery gives the song an otherworldly feel, and Gary Lightbody's voice benefits. The tale of two lovers rent asunder is beautiful and chilling, building constantly towards an emotional crescendo.
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